From May – July the IofCA Trustbuilding project Turruk in collaboration with FB IDEAs organised Weaving Three Stories – a project consisting of three yarning and weaving workshops led by First Peoples. The project aims to create an ongoing sense of belonging and inclusion by sharing stories about the embedded narrative of place, cultivate appreciation of First Peoples’ culture and untangle intercultural differences. The workshops were co-produced by First Nations artist Bianca Easton and IofCA Trustbuilding Project Manager Sarah Naarden.
Workshop 1
Celebrating Reconciliation Week on Saturday 31 May, a group of 32 curious people discovered threads of connection in the first workshop of Weaving Three Stories. The memorable weaving and yarning circle was led by several First Nation Leaders from Victoria and Arnhem land including Stevie Thorpe from Sustainative Australia who acknowledged Country with an innovative water ceremony and song; Bianca Easton, Boonwurrung creative facilitator who instructed the group with dilly bag ‘bilang’ weaving techniques and Lippwurunga Les Huddleston who aligned the group to ancient frequencies in a yidaki healing. Merilyn Merm Duff exhibited artefacts at the venue Romulus Gallery in South Melbourne. A lost wetlands centrepiece was created by Christina Theodouru.
“More than a workshop, it came as an act of cultural listening, community making and collective healing”
– Participant
Photo credits: Scott Ross & Angelina Mirabito, Romulus Gallery
Read a reflection of the workshop here
Workshop 2:
On Saturday 28 June, the second workshop in the series was held in the heart of Melbourne’s shipping ports on the river, an area rarely opened to the public. Between the passing of cargo ships and taming the eucalyptus smoke Stevie Thorpe acknowledged industrialized Bunerong Country. Remembering lost wetlands ,the group gathered around a bark, river stone and lomandra centre piece where Bianca Easton guided the participants to make a woven jewellery keepsake. Merilyn Merm Duff graced the group with her presence yarning with tactile artefacts reclaiming culture and navigating intergenerational trauma. Untold histories of Fisherman Bend were explored with IofCA Elder Jim Beggs, who spoke of his life changing experience walking with Aboriginal Wharfies and Aunty Marg Tucker at the Melbourne Ports.
Photo Credits: Kate Spencer
Read a reflection of the workshop here.
Workshop 3:
Blizzards and traffic chaos couldn’t dampen the ignited energy and connection at the finale of Weaving Three Stories in Fisherman’s Bend. The workshop opened with a powerful Gunaikurnai song and gum leaf water ceremony by Stevie Thorpe. The centre piece was a contribution by ikebana architect Christina Theodouro. The forty participants then followed the feather flower instructions led by Bianca Easton. The group was enchanted by the warmth and wit of Alexi Freeman, an interdisciplinary creative practitioner, crafting stories of breath-taking woven biodesign textiles made from kombucha leather and intricate chainmail mesh from pistachio nuts. Regenerative thought leader Dominique Hes, a regenerative development thinker, shared the impetus behind the ‘Regen movement’ through a culture of care and love. A message stick was gifted by Merilyn Merm Duff to the Turruk Community.
Read a reflection of the workshop here.
Upcoming event: Wednesday 29 October
Join a compelling line-up of First Nations urban culturalists, Stevie Thorpe, Bianca Easton and Merilyn Merm Duff for a unique intercultural art parade, yidaki healing, film screening, exhibition and yarning event. Together we commemorate the delicate dance of decolonizing a community of practice to create a culture of care.
The short documentary Weaving Three Stories, showcasing the weaving and yarning series in Fisherman’s Bend, will be unveiled. A collection of woven artefacts, co-curated by Bianca Easton and Sarah Naarden, will be revealed alongside paintings and cultural artefacts from several First Nations contributors to the Turruk program.
Celebrating five years of the Turruk community program, Sarah Naarden will share highlights of Cultivating Trust, an exhibit of black and white photographs capturing moments when differences dissolve and reciprocal deep listening from the heart resonates.
All tickets at the concession price of $40.